The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower

by Michel Paradis

A thrilling new biography of Dwight Eisenhower set in the months leading up to D-Day, when he grew from a well-liked general into one of the singular figures of American history.

"This is hands-down the most deeply researched, sensitive, intimate, and nuanced portrait of Eisenhower." —DAVID KENNEDY, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for History | "A masterly portrait." —General WESLEY CLARK | "Gorgeously written. The only must-read book to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day." —ALEX KERSHAW, New York Times bestselling author | STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Library Journal

On June 6, 1944, General Dwight Eisenhower addressed the thousands of American troops preparing to invade Normandy, exhorting them to embrace the “Great Crusade” they faced. Then, in a fleeting moment alone, he drafted a resignation letter in case the invasion failed.

In The Light of Battle, Michel Paradis, acclaimed author of Last Mission to Tokyo, paints a vivid portrait of Dwight Eisenhower as he learns to navigate the crosscurrents of diplomacy, politics, strategy, family, and fame with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance. In a world of giants—Churchill, Roosevelt, De Gaulle, Marshall, MacArthur—it was a barefoot boy from Abilene, Kansas, who would master the art of power and become a modern-day George Washington.

Drawing upon meticulous research and a voluminous body of newly discovered records, letters, diaries, and firsthand accounts from three continents, Paradis brings Eisenhower to life, as a complicated man who craved simplicity, a genial cipher whose smile was a lethal political weapon.

With a page-turning pace and an eye for the overlooked, Paradis interweaves the grand arc of history with more human concerns, bringing readers into the private moments that led to Eisenhower’s most pivotal decisions. By deftly integrating the personal and the political, he reveals how Eisenhower’s rise both reflected and was integral to America’s rise as a global superpower.

An unflinching look at how character is forged, and leadership is learned, The Light of Battle breathes new life into the man who made “the leader of the free world” the mantle of the American presidency.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, World War II, American History, Military Fiction, War

528 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you will indulge me for a second as I quote a line from the description of this book, "In The Light of Battle, Michel Paradis, acclaimed author of Last Mission to Tokyo, paints a vivid portrait of Dwight Eisenhower as he learns to navigate the crosscurrents of diplomacy, politics, strategy, family, and fame with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance."

This is too much. The Light of Battle is a book which needs to be about 1,000 pages to do justice to everything it purports to investigate. That said, you get a little bit of everything which means there are some very enjoyable passages. However, your enjoyment depends on your point of view and expectations. Let's break it down.

The book succeeds mostly as an intimate personal portrait of Eisenhower as he is positioned to lead the execution of D-Day. Every major name you would expect to hear is mentioned. I would also say each character is given some background in a sometimes gossipy way. Paradis's tone is informal for a World War II book and this won't be for everyone. If you want the facts presented in a neutral way, then you may find it off-putting. If you want to hear how Patton could be a total child without mincing words, then you'll be happy.

I personally found that Paradis tried to handle too many complex people and events. Paradis tries to focus on the events leading up to D-Day, but he has to constantly jump time periods (often in the middle of a chapter) to give backstory. Other characters seem to drop into the narrative and then disappear for extended periods of time. D-Day, the event, is not until the very end of the book and almost feels like a footnote. People who have read a lot of World War II history may find a lot of characterizations of both people and events overly simplified.

What it comes down to is point of view and familiarity with the material. If you have read a lot of World War II literature, then I think this will fall short of expectations. If you are not well-versed and want a high-level overview of Eisenhower and a straightforward narrative, then you should find this enjoyable.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Mariner Books.)

[Julian Douglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first want to thank NetGalley and Mariner Books for giving me an ARC of this book.

I feel that this was half biography, half funny personal stories from Eisenhower's time as commander in Europe. I felt that there wasn't a lot of new or interesting info on him that I hadn't already read. The last part of the book was kind of interesting, but I just had a sense from this book that it was more showing a more personal side of General Eisenhower than how he rose to the occasion to fight and launch a successful invasion of Europe.

Nice read, but I expected more analysis than just the ending of the book.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel confident in giving this a 5-star rating even though I haven't quite finished The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower. I was looking forward to reading it because Eisenhower was president when I was very young and my father liked to talk about Ike and his accomplishments. One of my uncles died in the Battle of the Bulge so I was also interested in that part of World War II.

[Jim Zubricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

OUTSTANDING!! It was a well-researched, well-balanced, well-written book that thoroughly sucked me in. I was able to read 200 pages in three (work) days!

[Gabriel Thomas Malanchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife won this book for me on Goodreads. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Everyone knows about Eisenhower and his leadership of D- day. I was impressed on how stressful and hard this was for him to be in that position. To have to be leader, peacemaker, diplomat, and every thing else between all the countries involved amazes me! The author does a great job at bringing all this to life and showing exactly who Eisenhower was during this difficult and dark days. Great book!

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically this is a glorified itinerary of what Ike did for roughly the 18 months before D-Day. Frankly I’m not quite sure what this had to do with the “Birth of the American Superpower” as is added to the title, because it essentially ends with the Normandy invasion. I thought the topic would be interesting, and there were some insights into what he was thinking while he was doing what he did. To try and fill out the book there were some tangential stories to humanize Eisenhower more for the reader but at least for me, I didn’t see how they added to the story. Also apparently the most important things that happened between say December 1942 and June 1944, at least according to the author was the number and types of landing crafts that were needed, promised, intended to be built, etc. as there was a lot of references to those. These items aside, the writing did make the book fairly readable without getting to complex in terms of flow and unnecessary use of a thesaurus. I’d say this is more for the die hard buffs than the causal interest; falling in between I was rather “take it or leave it” overall.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you feel like you are looking over Eisenhower's shoulder as decisions are made leading up to D-Day. So many details needed to be ironed out over the months leading up to the invasion in order for it to have a chance at being successful and Eisenhower knew who he wanted to lead and the equipment that would be necessary for success. Reading, no only about Eisenhower, but also all the people that he met with, corresponded with, and even argued with shows just how difficult a job it was for him to get everything and everyone for D-Day.

If you've read books about Eisenhower or D-Day, but want to have a really deep look into both, then this is the book you need to read next.

[Larry (LPosse1) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took me a while to engage with this book. It is a biography about Eisenhower but it also provides a fair amount of military history as well.
The author does an excellent job weaving the “Ike” information with a considerable job of a historical account of WWII.
I so appreciate the information regarding African American soldiers. Ike was a politician and a concensesus builder and that aloud for the USA to become the leader of the alliance and to become the preeminent global superpower.
I would have liked to learned more about Eisenhower the president. I feel he is woefully underrated statesman.
Thanks goes to Paradis for not rumor mongering regarding Ike’s potential affair with his “girl Friday”. It had no place in this type of text.

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The book is really a biography of Eisenhower around this time as Allied Commander but does a very nice job also giving a general background of Eisenhower to those who are not familiar with him or his up bringing. The writing and research was solid and I really enjoyed it. It brought home to me the gravity of what one man was dealing with in attempt to free a part of the world from horrific tyranny.

[Richard Littel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best WWII books I’ve read and easily the best book regarding Eisenhower. The planning for D-Day with Eisenhower as the protagonist allowed the author to show the strength, weaknesses and challenges facing the team who planned the liberation of France. The author captures why Eisenhower should be thought of as a member of the pantheon of American heroes.

[Paul Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradis takes you behind the lines and into Eisenhower's inner circle during the critical period leading up to and including D Day. This is a well written and easily read story about Ike and the people around him during this period. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in American and world history.

[David B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book on lead up to D-Day

All the little things that were Ike’s life leading to day. Particularly interesting description of how he spent D-Day-1 and D-Day itself during the long hours before he received any reports from the front. For hours his reputation and success or failure were sealed without his knowledge.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eisenhower is overdue for fresh perspectives. Paradis provides an intimate look at the six months that led up to D-Day, time that revealed the true leader Eisenhower was. The Author's Note at the end should not be overlooked.

[Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a WWII book about GEN Eisenhower, and focuses on the planning and execution of the D-Day invasion. It provides lots of personal insights about Ike, but has a surprising lack of military detail and a very abrupt ending.

[Anne Laskowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I know why like Ike

So through, so enlightening, so riveting. I can for the first time say it was like being there. Awesome read

[John Stults · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good story on the lead up to DDay

The author bounces a bit between IKE’s history and preparation for command and the actual events that happened. It provides good details on his friends and staff. Over all a good read I highly recommend this book.

[Jim Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new approach to seemingly wel covered ground. Readable, insightful and even a little inspirational

[Harlan Strader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and in depth recounting of Eisenhower's activities, trials and tribulations in the months leading up to D-Day. Much new information.

[Brian Krivisky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the 6 months prior to Dday

[Andy Tuite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written description of the planning for d-day and the many moving pieces - people, politics, resources - that presented. One of the few books I’ve read that I felt had an important author’s note.

[Chris Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read. The book transports you to the time and place that my dad and his brother served (D-Day and Battle of the Bulge). The sacrifice was amazing. God Bless those who served and serve! 🇺🇸

[Bikerider99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. Great historical insights.

[spencer wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating examination of America's development as a superpower, through the lens of a general considered by many to be one of the great leaders of the Allied war effort during the Second World War. It's both a micro-biography and a transitional history of the emergence of the 'new world order'.

[Barry Davidoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellant book on Eisenhower concentrating on the six months before D-Day. It is amazing how many issues that Ike had to deal with everyday. Aside from commanding the Allied Expeditionary Force he also had to deal with the tensions between the British and Americans. The British generals were old line, many from the aristocracy while the Americans were brash and self-made. After the hundreds of decisons every hour Churchill was lurking behind every corner. Ike and Churchill did get along but many of the American generals thought Ike was too British.
The book provides a deep psycological evaluation of Eisenhower and his sucess due to hard work and friendliness. Patton is well described and though old friends Patton too often offended the wrong people. One of the best sections is on Montgomery. In the weeks leading up to D-Day they developed a close relationship and friendly respect. Monty is too often descibed by other authors as antagonistic and Ike and Monty perticularly were at odds after the battle of the Bulge where Monty claimed too much credit.
The realtionship between Ike and Kay Summersby, his driver is the source of speculation in the more modern biographies of Ike. However the book correctly depicts Kay as the constant work-wife and the book points out that Ike's workday was nearly 24 hours. Kay provided a conisttent assistant to talk to and Kay was a great bridge player. Kay's abilities are shown in a vignette where she drove Ike to a mjor meeting and Monty's Rolls Royce had taken Ike's prime parking spot. When the meeting was over Kay was behind the wheel of Ike's Packard in the correct parking place.
The book keeps a reader's attention and is hard to put down. Everyone knows before reading it the outcome of D-Day but there is a constant parade of which ideas concepts and people will prevail.
The book stands above many books on WWII since it shows the superb abilities of the general who managed everything.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won the hardcover edition in a goodreads giveaway. I was excited to read it because I am interested in world war 2. The light of battle did not disappoint me. Years ago in school I remember reading a book about Eisenhower. I have forgotten everything I read in that book except that Eisenhower died in 1969.

The light of battle is about Dwight Eisenhower and focuses manly on the decisions were made in the planning for operation Overloard and the canceled operation Anvil that was later renamed to Dragoon and how Eisenhower got to be supreme allied commander.

The light of battle is a long book at over 400 pages. And the text on each page is smaller than text I see in a lot of books so I think it was even longer than the average 400+ page book. For me that was not a problem because I found the book an interesting read. I never got board or thought maybe I will skim over this part or that part.

One of my favorite parts of the light of battle was after operation Overloard was under way and the book talks about the fiction he liked to read. I am pretty sure the westerns mentioned in that chapter are the books that Eisenhower read after D-day was launched.

And for me two interesting people the book talked about were Kay Sommersby Eisenhower's driver and Mattie Pinette who was his secretary. I liked the story of how Mattie Pinette got the job.

I thought The light of battle was well written, interesting and well worth the extra time it to me to read it. It definitely surpassed my expectations.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been many excellent books written about World War II, its causes and its history. This is no doubt a very well written and researched book. What Paradis has skillfully given us is unique insight and perspectives on momentous events and momentous figures by shining a light on the most important six months of General Dwight Eisenhower’s professional life. The buildup to the D-Day landings. This book reveals how Eisenhower saw these six months, not how a historian saw them. Each chapter centers on an individual who was instrumental during these six months of Eisenhower’s story. His prose lets us into Eisenhower’s private thoughts and allows us to be present at key discussions and meetings and to not just see and hear what Ike was seeing and hearing, but to feel what Ike was feeling.

There is a lot of material to digest in this book and that might hinder who would read this book. For those who like reading about WWII histories it offers a wealth of information. If you are not versed in this subject, you might find some the stories quite dry and not up to your expectations. Personally, I knew little about the buildup and what went into planning the D-Day battle. I found Paradis’ account fascinating and informative, and it will make a welcome addition to my library.

[Howard Sundwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers Eisenhower’s leadership from the beginning of 1944 to D-day, a six-month period exclusively, but with many biographical flashbacks. Paradis provides interesting insights and some new material (to me) of what is a much-written-about period. I have read a great deal about WWII, D-Day and all the principal players, yet I learned numerous new stories. Who knew that Ike had time for cocktails and bridge in the days before D-Day and even on the day itself? He had set all the wheels in motion and then had to sit back and (nervously) kill time while it was all going on. One thing I must mention: Paradis has an annoying habit of calling everyone by their nicknames. Apparently, he’s learned that Patton’s nickname was Georgie, so he is ALWAYS referred to that way. Mark Clark is ALWAYS called Wayne Clark – a nickname I have never heard before. British general Frederick Morgan is always Freddie. And on and on. This is a habit that is demeaning to the men and becomes extremely distracting to the reader, even to the point of diminishing from the seriousness of the subject. I recommend the book, but believe me, you’ll find the nicknames annoying.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower focusing on the six months from the Cairo conference to the D-day invasion and his role as the commander of the allied forces during that time period. Because of this compact focus on the time leading up to the D-Day invasion there was a lot of details about the relationships between those involved and the planning and negotiations going into the invasion that I didn't know. This book was well researched and used a lot of personal correspondence to show what people were thinking contemporaneously to the events of this book. There was a lot going on in Eisenhower's life both personally and professionally and his contacts through the years played a part in getting him into the position to plan and lead the D-Day invasion. The author also highlights the characteristics of Eisenhower that allowed him to lead an international force and guide the US into the post war years where it was, and by extension its President, moved into the position of the 'leader of the free world." I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.

[Michael Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Eisenhower biography, though I’ve read a couple of books about D-Day and WW2. It is only a partial biography, focusing mostly on his appointment as Supreme Allied Commander and the war up through D-Day. It touches briefly on his post-war career, and has more detail about his youth and military career.

This is a good book for those seeking a relatively shorter overview of Eisenhower’s life, career, and accomplishments during WW2. If you’re seeking a more in-depth, comprehensive biography, this is not the book. I gained a great appreciation for Eisenhower and the strategic, political, and personal challenges he faced and overcame to help guide the Allies to victory. The writing style was entertaining and informative, and kept my interest throughout.

There were a couple of aspects of Eisenhower’s life the author touches on that I would have liked to explore further, hence the 4 stars. That said, it was a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good overview of Eisenhower, the formation of the Allied Forces, and the lead up to D-Day.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paradis’ biography concentrates on the six months leading up to D-Day on June 6, 1944 when Allied forces landed at Normandy. During the previous fall, under Eisenhower’s leadership, Allied armies had taken longer than expected to defeat the Wehrmacht in North Africa. The planning for the invasion of Europe was well underway, but whom the overall commander should be was still under consideration.

Eisenhower’s talent was in managing the competing interests of different countries, their leaders, and the prickly personalities of key generals. Gradually, he earned the expansion of his authority. However, the stress resulted in a 3-pack a day smoking habit, insomnia, and nightmares. While Roosevelt largely left military planning to the experts, Churchill promoted his military ideas and when they were accepted, often proved disastrous.

I found Paradis’ account fascinating and informative—but then I am NOT a seasoned WWII aficionado. Those who are may prefer a more detailed account.